[Noah930]

Open herniorrhaphy with mesh is the most common and traditional way to go. But I don't think it's wise to have bilateral repairs on a Wednesday, and then expect to be playing a gig (or even attending one) on Saturday. Most people wouldn't be up for it, at least.

There are reports that mesh causes more pain/irritation. I don't know if that's true. What about the people with mesh who don't have chronic pain? What about the people without mesh who have chronic pain? In the end, don't fear the mesh.

Cough pillow post-op is nice.

I typically give a stool softener to my hernia patients to prevent constipation from their post-operative narcotic use. The fentanyl given surgery won't cause constipation, but the regular tablets of Percocet/Norco/Vicodin/Tylenol #3 for a couple weeks in a row (combined with decreased liquid intake from not wanting to get up to retrieve a drink for when you're thristy) could very well lead to it. Being constipated after abdominal surgery is awful, and risks the integrity of the repair from all the straining.

I tell people to take it easy for 4-6 weeks after the surgery. The strength of the repair doesn't come from the stitches or the mesh. Those can get pulled out through repetitive stress. Rather, the strength comes from the scar tissue that seals in the repair. That's the role of the mesh. It's not structural...at first. Rather, it serves as a framework for scar tissue to grow into to really give strength to the repair. (The mesh is actually sewn in with a little bit of a ripple in it to accomodate for any stretching of surrounding tissue that may occur with coughing or straining post-operatively.) So it takes about 4-6 weeks for that scar tissue to grow in. Even if you feel fine before then, don't overdo it.

Best of luck.

edit: Glad to hear you're doing OK, Shaun.